Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 25 September 2026 · From issue 43

Analytic nonlinear theory of shear banding in amorphous solids

A math model explains why some solids suddenly snap along one thin line instead of bending.

Avanish Kumar, Itamar Procaccia.

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In a computer simulation, an AI tool found dark matter clumps ten times faster than the usual method.
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Sunlight makes soot particles grow a salt coating that traps more heat in city air.
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Looking at an item sparks thoughts about it, and those thoughts drive choice.
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In mice, blocking one fat gene boosted fat burning and protected muscle during drug-based weight loss.
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A gas-based dating method pinned the Vesuvius eruption to 1938 years before 2025, matching history closely.
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A wood-waste glue matched or beat store-bought wood glues without using formaldehyde.
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A weak light beam makes a liquid laser almost 1,000 times more stable.
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In mice, a calming signal from gut support cells keeps immune cells from causing too much inflammation.
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